At 5-feet-4 and 139 pounds, Hernandez stands ground

Surrounded by players taller and bigger, Hernandez sticks out by not sticking out. At 5-foot-4 and only 139 pounds, Hernandez looks more suited as a running back or safety instead of a defensive end.

Not that he lets his size become a burden.

"He's very athletic, very quick," Dumas coach Brent McCallie said. "One of our coaches mentioned that you can't get leverage on him. He just gets right by some of our linemen."

Playing defensive end is nothing new for Hernandez, who has crafted his trade from the first moment he stepped onto a football field. He has the necessary tools - speed and strength, above all - that are essential for the position and has kept him driving on the field even as his teammates and competitors have outgrown him.

"I've been playing the position since I started playing in the seventh grade," Hernandez said. "I've gotten used to it, being hit by bigger guys. But I really enjoy it.

"Usually coaches will change a guy to a different position sometimes, but they've stuck with me."

The Dumas staff has stuck with Hernandez because of his athleticism. He has advanced to the state powerlifting meet in each of his three previous years in high school, finishing second the last two. As a junior, he combined for a total of 1,185 pounds in the bench press, squat and deadlift in the 132-pound division.

Because of his powerlifting background, Hernandez said he is able to match strength with most of the players he comes up against. Still, many do see him differently when he steps up to the line.

"They underestimate me," Hernandez said. "They don't know that I can pack a punch and can hit."